2017 Mid-American Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. FBS Power 5 Conference Teams Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Michigan | 3 | 21 | 37 | 8 | 66 | 22.0 |
| 2 | Ohio | 2 | 17 | 24 | 4 | 45 | 22.5 |
| 3 | Northern Illinois | 3 | 17 | 21 | 6 | 44 | 14.7 |
| 4 | Eastern Michigan | 2 | 6 | 30 | 3 | 39 | 19.5 |
| 5 | Western Michigan | 2 | 22 | 9 | 4 | 35 | 17.5 |
| 6 | Akron | 2 | 8 | 20 | 3 | 31 | 15.5 |
| 7 | Bowling Green | 2 | 9 | 20 | 1 | 30 | 15.0 |
| 8 | Toledo | 1 | 6 | 16 | 1 | 23 | 23.0 |
| 9 | Ball State | 1 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 21 | 21.0 |
| 10 | Kent State | 2 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 8.0 |
| 11 | Buffalo | 1 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 13 | 13.0 |